Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has paused three road projects while appealing a court decision that blocked the A5 road rebuild from Londonderry to the Co Monaghan border over environmental issues.

The paused schemes include a £36m Enniskillen bypass, a £23m to £28m pedestrian and cycle bridge over Belfast's River Lagan, and £120m to £130m safety upgrades to A1 junctions between Hillsborough and Loughbrickland.

Kimmins stated the A5 appeal outcome must guide next steps to avoid legal challenges that could raise costs and cause delays. She instructed officials to extend the tenderer list for 12 months on the A1 scheme as a contingency.

Belfast City Council politicians criticised the halt to the Lagan bridge, which links Ormeau Embankment to a former gasworks site redeveloped for offices and commercial use. The council agreed to write to Kimmins urging resumption.

Green Party councillor Bryan Smith called the Department for Infrastructure unaccountable and dysfunctional, claiming civil servants control decisions to the detriment of Northern Ireland residents.

SDLP councillor Seamus de Faoite described the pause on the active travel bridge as baffling and requested a council letter expressing frustration. A council official told department staff the decision makes no sense amid rising construction inflation.

Kimmins met Monica Heaney, Sinead Lunny, and councillor Joy Ferguson, who campaign for A1 upgrades after collisions including the 2018 death of Heaney's son Karl between Dromore and Banbridge. She affirmed commitment to the safety improvements.